Malick Sidibé's Portraits of Mali

Out this month from Rizzoli is a curation of images from iconic photographer Malick Sidibé, who began documenting the country of Mali in the early 1960s after its break from the French colonial system. Taken over the course of nearly four decades, the photos portray a country that is in a constant state of transformation, as traditional African prints and garb share the same frame with clothing that glorifies the gilded, down-and-out Harlem of Shaft and Foxy Brown. While most of the photos are in good ol' black and white, one section of the tome features color portraits (released for the first time ever) that give a depth of clarity to the culture, as well as the artist who captured it. Pick up your own when the book hits stands March 27th, and you can pre-order the book here.